Washington adds 7-foot center Robert Upshaw

Robert Upshaw, a 7-foot, 250-pound center who played at Fresno State last season, told ESPN.com he’s going to transfer to Washington. He’ll sit out the 2013-14 season per NCAA transfer rules and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

The Bulldogs issued a statement on the dismissal that read: “Fresno State Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh announced Wednesday that Bulldog men’s basketball student-athlete Robert Upshaw has been dismissed from the team for violations of Athletic Department policy. Upshaw was informed of his dismissal Wednesday afternoon. This will be Fresno State’s only comment on the matter.”

Upshaw was suspended twice – missing a total of four games including the Mountain West Conference Tournament – before being kicked off the team.

He told ESPN.com: “I went through a tough period at Fresno State. I had some maturity problems and didn’t focus on what was in front of me. It all made me realize that I need to focus on what’s important. I love the game.”

Upshaw was considered a four-star recruit by the top recruiting services when he was at San Joaquin Memorial High where he averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks as a senior. Rivals.com ranked him 52nd nationally, ESPN.com had him at 55 and Scout.com put him 18th on their list of top centers in the nation.

He initially picked Kansas State, but decommitted when coach Frank Martin left for South Carolina. Upshaw then chose Fresno State over Washington, California and USC.

This time the Huskies beat out Oregon in the recruiting derby for the promising big man.

“I had a nice visit with both Washington and Oregon,” Upshaw told ESPN.com. “I just felt like Washington was a better fit for me as a player. I liked it there, I felt comfortable and am looking forward to a new start.”

Washington now has 13 players on scholarship.

The Huskies should be loaded at the low-post players in 2014 with Upshaw, junior Shawn Kemp Jr., sophomore Jernard Jarreau, junior Gilles Dierickx, and Tristan Etienne, a 2014 prospect who verbally committed to the Huskies.